The pandemic has reduced the size of kitchens in Panama

The closure of economic activities as a result of the covid-19 pandemic has put various manufacturing sectors in the country in a bind, but it has also tested the ability to reinvent many of them, as is the case with restaurant owners in Panama.

One of the big changes in the food industry in Panama is the downsizing of restaurants. Domingo de Obaldía, representative of the Association of Restaurants and Related Products of Panamahe explains that Panama is coming up with activity with smaller restaurants.

These are restaurants with smaller kitchens, but with a larger space for receiving food, the vice president also said National Tourist Chamber of Panama.

He claims he is gastronomic industry A faster recovery started compared to the previous year, mainly due to the arrival of international tourists through various connecting ports.

From Association of Restaurants and Related Restaurants of Panama The recovery of 100% of the associates he had in 2019 is estimated.

As for the statistics of restaurant closings, De Obaldía claims that they are maintained, but with the entry of new players into the market. In 2021, it is estimated that more than 2,000 restaurants have closed due to lack of liquidity, affecting around 20,000 workers.

In December last year, Panama franchises, SA. reported the discontinuation of the Pizza Hut brand in Panama.

“The decision was made following administrative considerations aimed at securing and optimizing its operations in the future,” he said at the time.

In the Appendix, BMI Panama which had a restaurant concession at Tocumen Airport, sold to Inflight Holdings Cayman, a company owned by Goddard Catering Group (GCG).

The hotel and restaurant sector as a whole recorded a positive variation of 23.1%, as a result of better operations of food and beverage sales services in restaurants, as well as accommodation services. This category, as a whole, represents an increase of 39.5%, in the period from January to September 2022, according to the data of the State Institute for Statistics and Population Census.

Panamanian flavors have also earned a place in an international magazine. He travel and food journalist, Erik Trinidadhe exposed the culinary panorama of Panama, in his text published on the Fathom portal.

During his stay he enjoyed almojábanos, chicharrones, patacones, guacho and sancocho; an extensive menu of seafood, desserts and various drinks, the result of the convergence of cultures and flavors that characterize Panama, he explained Promtur Panama.